ladysi
Senior Member
- First Name
- Andrea
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2018
- Threads
- 21
- Messages
- 388
- Reaction score
- 421
- Location
- Minnesota
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 civic si black sedan
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
Ok, so I ordered and installed the led sequential smoked taillights last year.
I don't even think they are really available anymore either, probably for good reason... my drivers side upper trunk portion got water in it over the winter and half shorted out. I bought a second set a few months ago but have been to busy to swap them. The time has come though.
This time around, I want to fully seal the full set. I have picked up some thin plastic folders, a small piece of 0.060" acrylic, and some shitty 0.25" rubber grommets. I also have liquid electrical tape and cleat rtv silicone.
The larger lights, those that fit onto the car onto either side of the trunk, can most likely be sealed around the edges with some silicone and the cables protruding from the back side of each harness connector can be given since extra liquid electrical tape for good measure.
My question concerns the smaller trunk lights, as those seem more susceptible to waterlogging - at least I have first hand empirical evidence to that fact. I can, like the larger lights, seal the edges with silicone and touch up the connector cables with liquid electrical tape.
What i am concerned about are the large holes in the back through which the cables run.
My thoughts are:
1. Remove the foam around the hole.
2. Cut plastic/acrylic pieces to the same size as the outer dimension of the foam.
3. Drill a hole in a piece of plastic/acrylic big enough for the rubber grommet.
4. Insert grommet in plastic/acrylic.
5. Cut the wires from the taillight.
6. Run the wires through the grommet.
7. Solder the wires back on with a lineman's twist joint and heat shrink the joint.
8. Silicone the plastic/acrylic over the hole. (Or use epoxy if the silicone does not hold).
9. Silicone/liquid electrical tape any remaining gap in and around the grommet.
10. Stick the foam piece back on.
My questions to this forum:
1. Would it be better to use really thin plastic (think plastic folder/divider from office max) or acrylic (thicker, stiffer, from menards)? If so, why?
2. Which parts of this process are best with silicone vs liquid electrical tape vs epoxy.?
3. Any tips for using rtv silicone or any other silicone for that matter when it concerns sealing the edges? I am concerned about keeping the look clean and hoping that the seal is completely hidden/transparent.
BONUS: Any doubts, suggestions, etc about my thoughts above?
I don't even think they are really available anymore either, probably for good reason... my drivers side upper trunk portion got water in it over the winter and half shorted out. I bought a second set a few months ago but have been to busy to swap them. The time has come though.
This time around, I want to fully seal the full set. I have picked up some thin plastic folders, a small piece of 0.060" acrylic, and some shitty 0.25" rubber grommets. I also have liquid electrical tape and cleat rtv silicone.
The larger lights, those that fit onto the car onto either side of the trunk, can most likely be sealed around the edges with some silicone and the cables protruding from the back side of each harness connector can be given since extra liquid electrical tape for good measure.
My question concerns the smaller trunk lights, as those seem more susceptible to waterlogging - at least I have first hand empirical evidence to that fact. I can, like the larger lights, seal the edges with silicone and touch up the connector cables with liquid electrical tape.
What i am concerned about are the large holes in the back through which the cables run.
My thoughts are:
1. Remove the foam around the hole.
2. Cut plastic/acrylic pieces to the same size as the outer dimension of the foam.
3. Drill a hole in a piece of plastic/acrylic big enough for the rubber grommet.
4. Insert grommet in plastic/acrylic.
5. Cut the wires from the taillight.
6. Run the wires through the grommet.
7. Solder the wires back on with a lineman's twist joint and heat shrink the joint.
8. Silicone the plastic/acrylic over the hole. (Or use epoxy if the silicone does not hold).
9. Silicone/liquid electrical tape any remaining gap in and around the grommet.
10. Stick the foam piece back on.
My questions to this forum:
1. Would it be better to use really thin plastic (think plastic folder/divider from office max) or acrylic (thicker, stiffer, from menards)? If so, why?
2. Which parts of this process are best with silicone vs liquid electrical tape vs epoxy.?
3. Any tips for using rtv silicone or any other silicone for that matter when it concerns sealing the edges? I am concerned about keeping the look clean and hoping that the seal is completely hidden/transparent.
BONUS: Any doubts, suggestions, etc about my thoughts above?
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